A Wisconsin State Senator has introduced legislation that would help family farmers, rural communities, and consumers. Brad Pfaff says his Ag Purchase Program, Senate Bill 408 is a win-win proposal. “The Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection would work with food pantries and other food non-profit distribution facilities in order to make sure…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
UW expert: Lack of reliable data limits farm safety education efforts
A University of Wisconsin farm safety specialist says educating farmers and the general public about rural safety requires good data that’s not always easy to get. John Shutske with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield not every state is the same when it comes to reporting road crash data, and much of the information they…… read more
U.S. soybean farmers slam federal aid to Argentina as markets shift to foreign competitors
U.S. soybean farmers are asking why the Trump administration is assisting foreign competitors. The American Soybean Association and many of their state soybean organizations are critical of the aid. Doug Rebout is with the Wisconsin Soybean Association. “The federal government goes and gives twenty billion dollars to our soybean competitor down in Argentina to help…… read more
Northern Wisconsin counties getting started on corn silage
A northwestern Wisconsin farmer and custom harvester says harvesting corn silage starts this week. Andy Bensend farms between Dallas and Prairie Farm. He tells Brownfield, “The guys on the lighter soils down around Durand, they’ve been at corn silage for a little while but we’re always a week or ten days behind them, and so…… read more
Wisconsin prepares for surge in international delegations at World Dairy Expo
Wisconsin’s Ag Secretary says he’s expecting more foreign visitors at this year’s World Dairy Expo. Set-up is underway for next week’s World Dairy Expo in Madison, and Randy Romanski tells Brownfield this is where the world comes to for dairy knowledge, animals, experience, and genetics and his team is prepared to meet with more foreign…… read more
One percent of Wisconsin corn and soybeans harvested
Wisconsin farmers started to make harvest progress on the week. USDA reporters say twenty-eight percent of Wisconsin’s corn is mature, 82 percent is dented, and one percent is harvested. Eighty-one percent of the corn is rated good to excellent. Forty-six percent of the state’s soybeans are dropping leaves, one percent is harvested, with 79 percent…… read more
Wisconsin farmer worries tall corn could fall to strong winds before harvest
A southern Wisconsin farmer has concerns about corn withstanding strong winds ahead of harvest. Doug Rebout of Janesville says crops have benefited from good conditions this summer. “Really tall (corn), I mean they’re healthy stalks. But as they’re drying down, if all the sudden we get some winds and stuff like that with as tall…… read more
Corn silage wrapped up, grain harvest on deck in southern Wisconsin
A farmer near Janesville in south-central Wisconsin is optimistic going into harvest. Doug Rebout tells Brownfield corn and soybeans in the area look good. “They’re drying down (and) we’re figuring here another week, week and-a-half like the last week of September we will probably be starting our harvest here. Most of the corn silage is…… read more
Corn rootworm concerns
The agronomy manager with Wyffels Hybrids says some areas of the Corn Belt continue to battle corn rootworm pressure. Ryan Gentle tells Brownfield, “You know, the same hot spots are still there.” He says, “Northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, you get into northern Iowa, that’s where the pressure still is.” However, he says 2025 hasn’t been…… read more
Proposed Wisconsin fee changes would impact livestock sellers, haulers
A livestock marketer says Wisconsin’s proposed fee changes for sales barns, dealers, and haulers would harm producers. Curt Larson with Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales tells Brownfield the proposed annual licensing fees under rule ATCP 10 are far above any customary or ordinary price. “In Michigan, the Class One livestock auction pays $400 a year. In…… read more